Traditional Rulers in Delta State have protested what they called continued destruction of state and rural roads in the state by heavy-duty trucks and trailers, including those owned by the Dangote Group of Companies.

They have, therefore, called on the company to, as a matter of urgency, embark on maintenance of such roads in the interest of continued cordiality between the company and people of the state.

Rising from a crucial meeting of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers in Asaba, its Chairman and Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, decried the damage of roads by the fleet of vehicles owned by the company in the course of its business operations in the state.

In a five-point communiqué, the traditional rulers emphasised what they called “the need for Dangote Group of Companies to review operations of its vehicles on state and rural roads in view of the massive damages they cause on such roads without corresponding benefits as per maintenance. We are not happy over continued damage of our roads by Dangote vehicles.”

The royal fathers called on the company’s management to extend its corporate social responsibility to Delta State, which had been impacted by the company’s business operations.

They contended that government’s good intentions in constructing roads were being thwarted by the group’s activities.

On security issues, the royal fathers called for increased vigilance by the people, saying every citizen of the state should not only be security conscious, but also pass useful information to the police on criminal activities in the area.

They also appealed to the people to keep the peace during political campaign, urging politicians to take a cue from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s famous quote that “his ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”

The traditional rulers described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent visit to Delta during which he commissioned three star projects, including Stephen Keshi Stadium, as an endorsement of Delta State governor for a second term, and urged the people to keep faith with the Okowa administration.

The meeting was attended by the first Vice Chairman of the Council and Orodje of Okpe, Major General Felix Mujakpuero (rtd), the Orhue I, the second Vice Chairman and Pere of Akugbene-Mien Kingdom, Pere SP Luke Kalanama the VIII and the Obi of Abavo Kingdom, Uche Irenuma II, among others.